The programme is part of Leonardo’s Inclusion and Diversity strategy to provide support to women around career opportunities and development.
Over the course of eight half-day workshops delivered online by our own trained facilitators, the women formed a strong transnational network in their respective cohorts. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants saying that they now have more confidence regarding their personal development and ability to achieve their goals – not just in their professional lives but also personally; they feel more assertive, supported and motivated.
Isobel Nash, Corporate Culture, who is based in Rome, says: “For me, Springboard was the perfect opportunity to reflect, re-evaluate and reset my goals in both my private and professional life. It has provided me with a network of inspirational women to reach out to within the Leonardo business for peer-to-peer support, as well as the tools to assess where I have the power and influence to overcome obstacles and flourish. Through guest speakers, it was hugely empowering to gain a candid insight into the experiences and personal challenges of some of our most senior female business leads, to learn from their advice, and also gain a greater awareness of the fantastic career opportunities available to women in Leonardo. I highly appreciated the holistic approach of the programme; it endorses participants with the ability to say 'no' and promotes the importance of taking time out to avoid burnout. In summary, following the pandemic, Springboard was the perfect remedy to spring me back in to action and get me back on course taking solid actions to achieve my goals.”
The programme offered practical tips on an array of topics including how to set realistic objectives, identifying and managing stress, improving communication skills, enhancing personal relationships, growing your personal brand, and ensuring that women have the confidence and awareness to be assertive.
Many also felt that it gave them the opportunity to dedicate time from their schedules to reflect on themselves, their core values and how they can achieve a more fulfilling and meaningful presence in their work and home lives.
This was echoed by Alissa Ioannone, who explains: “The Springboard programme gave me the possibility to have some “me time” to work on myself and focus on my real goals. It provided me with the opportunity to both discuss and ask for advice from high profile colleagues, and to be inspired by top managers with a very important professional path. At the end of this experience, the advantages are a greater awareness of my value, greater self-esteem and a strong sense of engagement towards my goals.”
Head of Bid Management for Leonardo’s Cyber Security Division in the UK, Sarah Vanderheide, who is based in Basildon, recognised the power of the cohort she was part of. “Springboard has helped me establish relationships with individuals with whom it is safe to share both personal and work experiences and seek advice knowing they may have been through something similar.”
Edinburgh-based Programme Manager – Typhoon Europe, Bronwen Jenkins, says the programme helped her in several ways. “Springboard enabled me to build confidence in myself and my abilities, and help keep my imposter syndrome in check! I’d recommend this programme to women at any stage of their life/career journey. And as a bonus you get to meet some amazing friends along the way.”
As a result of the positive impact of the inaugural courses at Leonardo, the company is organising four further cohorts for nearly 100 women during 2022, and more in subsequent years.
